Local Elections
Posted by Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, at 16:06, Wed 9 May 2007:
The local elections last week gave me a welcome opportunity to spend time in different areas of the constituency talking to voters, as I helped some of the local Labour candidates with their campaigns. This contact with constituents is something I really value – there was a lot of constructive feedback and input on both national and local issues and I was able to keep people updated with the work I have been doing on their behalf.
Nationally the election results were disappointing, however after hard fought campaigns the results for both Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland Councils were more positive for the party than in other regions. In Redcar and Cleveland a Labour led coalition will take control of the Council after the party gained six seats. These include the two new Labour Councillors in Guisborough, where my constituency office is situated (on Wilson Street). The voting here was sufficiently close as to require a dramatic recount on Friday afternoon. I think the eventual success was based on the Labour candidates’ commitment to important local issues, such as saving local swimming pools and freezing Councillors’ allowances, which had increased under the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition by over 5% this year alone.
In Middlesbrough despite losing two seats Labour maintained a majority, with twenty six of the forty six councillors. I spent some time helping Nicky Walker and Jeanette Walker, the Labour candidates in Hemlington, which gave me the opportunity to meet voters in the Middlesbrough side of my constituency. Following the election I am confident that they will continue to be great servants of the local community.
There is great debate within the party as to the direction we need to take from this point - not least given the Prime Minister’s imminent departure. I would be interested to hear your views on this.
From the constituents I spoke to I think there is broad consensus that we have the right priority: to improve the fortunes of everyone in society, the many, not the few. Over the remainder of this term we need to show that we are still the party to do this.
If you wish to get in touch with me about any of these issues, or on any other matters, please do not hesitate to do so by calling 01287 610878, e-mailing ashokkumarmp@parliament.uk, or writing to Ashok Kumar MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA. Alternatively feel free to leave comments on the website www.hearfromyourmp.com to join in the debate.
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